Reading
Summary
Reading in Scripture refers primarily to the public reading of God's Word in worship assemblies and the private study of sacred texts.
☩Public Reading
The public reading of God's Law was commanded by Moses and practiced throughout Israel's history. Moses read the Book of the Covenant to the people, and Ezra read the Law to the returned exiles. In synagogue worship, the Law and the Prophets were read regularly, as Paul's instruction to Timothy indicates: 'give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.' Jesus participated in this practice when He read from Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth.
☩Private Reading
Scripture also records private reading of God's Word. The Ethiopian eunuch was reading Isaiah when Philip encountered him. Kings were commanded to have a copy of the law and read it all their days. Paul instructed that his letters be read in the churches and exchanged between congregations, establishing the practice of reading apostolic writings alongside the Old Testament Scriptures.
Related Verses77 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Reading OF The Bible," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Reading," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Reading," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Reading," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).